Teacher and School Leader Incentive Fund 84.374A

The Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program is a federal discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. It is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and is designed to support systemic improvements in educator effectiveness through performance-based compensation systems and human capital management systems. The program focuses particularly on strengthening educator performance in high-need schools, with the broader goal of improving student academic outcomes, workforce readiness, and closing achievement gaps between student populations. The primary purpose of the program is to provide funding to states, local educational agencies, and eligible partnerships to develop, implement, improve, or expand comprehensive systems that incentivize educator effectiveness. These systems may include performance-based compensation structures tied to measurable student growth and broader human capital strategies such as recruitment, retention, evaluation, and professional development. Additionally, grant funds may be used to study the effectiveness and fairness of these systems, ensuring they are reliable and equitable across diverse school environments. Funding under this program is substantial, with approximately sixty million dollars available for the competition and individual awards ranging from five hundred thousand dollars up to eight and a half million dollars. The average award size is approximately 4.3 million dollars over a project period of up to thirty-six months. The program requires a significant cost-sharing component, mandating that recipients provide non-federal matching funds equal to fifty percent of the grant amount, which may be met through cash or in-kind contributions. Funds must supplement existing resources and cannot supplant other federal or state funding streams. Eligibility is limited to specific public-sector and partnership entities, including local educational agencies, state educational agencies, the Bureau of Indian Education, and partnerships that combine these entities with nonprofit or for-profit organizations. Partnerships must formalize their collaboration through agreements outlining responsibilities and commitments. The program emphasizes collaboration among educators, administrators, and community stakeholders, particularly in high-need schools defined by high percentages of low-income students. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and involves multiple components, including a project narrative, budget documentation, logic model, and evidence of stakeholder support. Applicants must also demonstrate alignment with two absolute priorities: implementing performance-based or human capital systems and focusing efforts on high-need schools. Competitive preference points may be awarded for projects led by state agencies or those advancing meaningful learning opportunities. Applications are evaluated based on need, design quality, management plan, and adequacy of resources, with a total possible score of one hundred points. Key dates for the competition include an application availability date of April 8, 2026, and a submission deadline of June 9, 2026. Intergovernmental review deadlines extend to August 30, 2026. While the standard project period is three years, the Department of Education may offer renewal funding for up to an additional twenty-four months based on performance and demonstrated effectiveness. Applicants are encouraged to begin registration processes early due to system requirements such as SAM.gov and Grants.gov validation timelines. Program oversight includes strict compliance with federal regulations and civil rights laws, as well as ongoing performance reporting tied to specific measures such as educator effectiveness ratings and use of performance-based compensation. The program also emphasizes sustainability, requiring applicants to outline how funded activities will continue beyond the grant period. Contact for program inquiries is provided through a designated federal program officer via email and telephone, ensuring applicants have access to technical assistance during the application process.

Align proposal strongly to absolute priorities and demonstrate clear data driven evaluation systems with measurable student achievement outcomes